Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, head coach of Ghana’s Black Galaxies, has expressed confidence in his team’s preparations ahead of their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) playoff against Nigeria.

The much-anticipated first-leg encounter is set for Sunday, December 22, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with a 15:00 GMT kick-off. The decisive return leg will follow on Saturday, December 28, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Speaking to CAFOnline ahead of the clash, Dramani shared insights into the meticulous team-building process and the philosophy guiding the Black Galaxies.

“Building a team is not something that happens overnight; it requires deliberate effort,” Dramani stated. “We have carefully crafted a strategic structure that fosters professional communication between the technical staff, players, management, and the football association.”

Dramani emphasized that a unified team philosophy has been integral to their preparations. “We’ve developed a clear approach that aligns defensive and attacking strategies across all levels of the team. These concepts have been progressively introduced during training sessions, ensuring our players and staff are well-prepared for this crucial fixture.”

Ghana heads into the tie with a psychological edge, having defeated Nigeria on penalties in the last CHAN qualifiers, although they later exited the competition at the quarterfinal stage. With the 2024 CHAN set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, Dramani’s side is keen to secure their spot in the prestigious tournament.